Thursday, October 29, 2009

Things that Nullify one’s Wudoo (Ablution)

As for what is related to the Nawaaqid (nullifiers) of wudoo, which are those things that cancel out one’s ablution and due to which one must renew it, then from its types are:

Whatever is excreted from the two private parts: This is based on Allaah’s saying: “And if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature…” [Surah An-Nisaa: 43] What is meant by the word ghaa’it (defecating) in this ayah is “answering the call of nature” whether it is by urinating or defecating.

What indicates this is the hadeeth of Safwaan bin ‘Assaal, who said: “When we were on a journey, the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would command us to not remove our Khuffs (i.e. wipe over them for wudoo) for three days and nights – except in the case of Janaabah (sexual impurity, for which ghusl became obligatory) – but rather for defecating, urinating and sleep.” [Reported by An-Nasaa’ee and At-Tirmidhee. It is an authentic hadeeth authenticated by Imaam Al-Bukhaaree]

And there is also the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) who reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “If one of you experiences something in his stomach and has doubts as to whether something excreted or not (i.e. passing wind), then do not go out from the masjid until you hear something or you sense an odor.” [Reported by Muslim]

What also breaks the wudoo, is when seminal fluid is emitted. This is based on the hadeeth of ‘Alee (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “I was a man who had frequent urethral discharges, so I requested al-Miqdaad to ask the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) about it. So he asked him, and he responded: “Wudoo is necessary due to it.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

And from the things that nullify one’s wudoo is sleep, if one should become deeply engrossed in it, as a result of which he doesn’t sense or feel what is around him and he is not aware of himself if he breaks his wudoo. This is based on the previously mentioned hadeeth of Safwaan bin ‘Assaal, in which there occurs the words: “…but rather for defecating, urinating and sleep.”

What also nullifies the wudoo, is eating the meat of camels based on what Muslim reported from the hadeeth of Jaabir bin Samurah in which a man asked the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam): “Should I make Wudoo after eating goat meat?” He said: “If you wish.” So the man said: “Should I make wudoo after eating camel meat?” He (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) replied: “Yes.” So the man made wudoo due to the camel meat.

It is recommended to make wudoo due to touching the male private organ, based on the hadeeth of Busra bint Safwaan (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) in which Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever touches his penis, then he should perform wudoo.” [Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’ee, At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah, and it is an authentic hadeeth]

We only say that it is recommended due to the hadeeth of Talq bin ‘Alee (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) who said: “A man said: ‘I touched my penis’ or he said ‘If a man touches his penis while in prayer does he have to perform wudoo (again)?’ The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘No – (meaning it is not obligatory on him to make wudoo) – it is only a part of you (i.e. your body).’” [Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’ee, At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah, and it is an authentic hadeeth]

A person who is not in the state of wudoo is forbidden from touching the mus-haf, based on the hadeeth of ‘Abdullaah bin Abee Bakr about the letter that Allaah’s Mesenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) wrote to ‘Amr bin Hazm that: “No one should touch the Qur’aan except the purified.” This was reported by Maalik, and An-Nasaa’ee from him. It is a famous letter, which the scholars have met with acceptance. It also has a supporting evidence in the hadeeth of ‘Uthmaan bin Abil-‘Aas, reported by At-Tabaraanee. There is no harm in using it as supporting evidence.